Number of Covid-19 patients rises with better testing facility

KARACHI: The number of coronavirus patients increased in the country with the enhancement of the testing capacity. Meanwhile, the emergency department of the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital was sealed on Sunday after a doctor tested positive for the coronavirus.

A senior official at the hospital said that the chief medical officer (CMO) at the hospital tested positive for COVID-19. Dr Saleem Shaikh, additional police surgeon at the hospital added that the emergency department was sealed around 3pm after the doctor's test came back positive.

At least 253 healthcare providers and medical workers have been infected with the coronavirus in Pakistan so far, according to data shared by the National Emergency Operation Centre earlier this week. Based on the report, which comprised data till April 22, 124 doctors, 39 nurses and 90 health workers have been infected by the virus in the country.

In Sindh, the total number of infected medical workers stands at 56, according to the report; this includes 19 doctors, 15 nurses and 22 other healthcare providers. Of these, 41 are admitted to hospitals and 15 have been discharged.